Options Are Good by Jerry D. Young Read Free Book Online

bathroom, so spread your things out if you want.”
     
    She started to turn away, but hesitated and turned back. “Bandy?”
     
    Bandy tilted his head in question.
     
    “I’m so glad you came. Thank you.” She was in his arms for a hard hug, and then gone before Bandy could react.
     
    Deciding to keep his thoughts off Ana-Bella and on the situation at hand, Bandy went down to get his gear, including his laptop computer. He stopped in the study for a moment, finding Bob there alone, to get the Wi-Fi connection instructions so he could get on the internet for some research.
     
    “Son, seriously, do you think my family will be safe?” Bob asked suddenly, the look on his face tearing at Bandy’s heart. Bob was really afraid of what might happen.
     
    “I do, Sir. I intend to see that they are, just like you.”
     
    Bob nodded and Bandy went on up to the room. He was going to be a very busy person for a few days.
     
     

CHAPTER THREE
     
    Bandy’s offer to help with the Thanksgiving preliminaries that evening was declined and he spent the late afternoon with Bob, looking over the ranch in detail.
     
    He could tell Bob was curious about the notes Bandy was taking, but he didn’t want to discuss them until he had time to analyze them. Bob Sheridan had good people working for him. Things weren’t great for defense, but they weren’t terrible. Especially if the defensive shelter Bandy was beginning to envision was acceptable to Bob and his family.
     
    After a quiet supper, with the conversation mostly centered around Ana-Bella’s last few runs and the operation of the ranch, Bandy joined the family in the study. Ana-Bella and Magdalene were both reading, and Bob, like Bandy, was on a computer.
     
    There was the occasional interruption as the public service band scanner broke squelch with some type of activity and everyone stopped to listen. There was a little chatter on the ranch’s radio system, but not very much.
     
    A bit before nine, Bandy spoke to Bob. “Sir, I will send over some links for you to check into, if you’ll give me your e-mail or Skype address.”
     
    “Yes. Of course.” A minute or so later and Bandy was sending a series of links to websites that Bandy wanted Bob to look at. Ana-Bella put her book down and went to watch over her father’s shoulder as he began to open the various websites and check them out.
     
    “Honey, if you would get your computer, perhaps Bandy will send you the links,” Bob finally said, after Ana-Bella stopped him, pointed out something, or suggested he click on this or that link.
     
    “Of course,” Bandy said.
     
    Ana-Bella grinned and stood up straighter. “But it won’t aggravate Dad as much. But it sure would be better for my back. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”
     
    Just as she’d said, Ana-Bella was back shortly with her own laptop. After another minute or two to get it up, running, and connected to the Wi-Fi, Bandy was sending her the same links he’d sent her father.
     
    “Either of you… I’d rather wait on questions about what to do until I have a better plan laid out. That should be Saturday night. But if you have general questions about something on the websites, feel free to ask.”
     
    Bob immediately asked, “People are actually paying this much for being prepared? Especially for shelters!”
     
    “Yes, Sir. Some do spend large amounts. Into the millions. Not necessary for most people and certainly not affordable for the majority, but the capability is out there for those that want it. For a price.”
     
    “Hmm. I know Angus dropped a bundle on that load that Ana-Bella picked up for him.”
     
    “It doesn’t include a couple of key items, either,” Bandy said. “Expensive ones.”
     
    “He said he had everything he needed but labor and concrete,” Bob protested.
     
    “‘Almost everything’, I believe was the quote, Bob,” Magdalene said without looking up from her book.
     
    “Perhaps it was,” Bob